Exchange Club of Sugar Land presents Freedom Shrine to Blue Ridge Elementary

Program participants shown following the Freedom Shrine dedication.

Blue Ridge Elementary School recently held a dedication ceremony to celebrate its new Freedom Shrine donated by the Exchange Club of Sugar Land. The Freedom Shrine contains a collection of 30 historical documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, which will help educate students on the importance of historical events that have taken place throughout American history, while helping them gain a better appreciation of their forefathers who helped found our great country.

Dierdre Holloway, principal at Blue Ridge Elementary School, welcomed guests to the event and gave a brief history on the Freedom Shrine. Following was the posting of colors by students Barry Wilson and Jarryd Allen and performances by sixth-grade student Erin Davis, who sang the Star-Spangled Banner; the 6th Grade Band, the Showstoppers Dance Team, Blue Ridge Cheerleaders, and the 1st Grade Choir.

Dave Kiger provided an overview of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land, and Trever Nehls, Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army Reserves, served as guest speaker. Nehls challenged students to select one document every other week to read, saying, “I promise you, you’ll reach a new level of appreciation in your life after reading each of these important documents.”

Following his remarks, Nehls presented student Erin Davis with a flag that he received in Afghanistan. He was impressed with her singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Exchange Club member and Fort Bend ISD School Board Member, Sonal Bhuchar, presented the dedication plaque to Holloway on behalf of the Exchange Club. Garnet Foster, assistant principal at Blue Ridge provided closing remarks, thanking the Exchange Club for the Freedom Shrine.